Buying your gran a goat for Christmas might sound like a bizarre idea.

But it's just one way James Maiden and thousands of other people will be helping Oxfam make a difference to families in need across the world this December 25.

The charity gives people the chance to buy essential gifts like goats, donkeys, mosquito nets, market stalls and tree planting packages for people living in places like Africa and South America, on behalf of friends and family.

And James, of Splott, Cardiff, hopes more people will buy a Christmas gift that will transform people's lives.

'Every Christmas people end up with gifts they don't need - socks, toiletries and photo frames that end up in a drawer or loft, but these gifts are really needed,' said James, 30, who lives with wife Lyndsey, 32, and is a network co-ordinator for the Welsh Centre for International Affairs in Cathays Park, which works with organisations raising awareness of global issues.

'The charity sends you a fridge magnet and a card saying what the gift is and how it's helping so whoever you're giving it to still has something to open and keep on Christmas day.

'And you can tailor the gift to someone's job or hobby. Last Christmas I bought a tree nursery for my brother Tim who is a tree surgeon and a building pack to build a shelter for my dad Peter who's a kitchen designer.

'I also bought chickens for my mum Sharon.

'I always find it difficult to buy for them as they have everything they need and they were really pleased to think their gift was helping.

'This year I'm planning to buy my two grans a goat!'

Miranda Morton, 43, of Broadway, Splott, Cardiff, will also be checking out the charity's Unwrapped catalogue after buying an alpaca package for her sister for her birthday.

Miranda, who works for the National Assembly, said: 'You go into charity shops in January and they are full of unwanted Christmas presents.

'The alpaca package included shears and help to build a shelter for the alpaca so farmers in Peru can make a living from their wool.

'When my friend had a baby boy, for a newborn baby gift I bought her an Oxfam maternity pack which helped train a midwife.

'She was thrilled to think she was helping another new mum.'

Oxfam Cymru spokeswoman Gwenllian Griffiths said: 'Communities in Ethiopia have received more than £200,000 worth of goats thanks to Oxfam Unwrapped.

'In Kenya more than £15,000 worth of water filters have been distributed, together with buckets to store and carry clean water.